James
Milton Ray, age 77 of Deweyville, Texas, went to join his wife Kathy in Heaven
on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 in Missouri. Services to honor James will be held
at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Dorman Funeral Home with Rev. John
Fortenberry officiating. Interment with honors provided by the Southeast Texas
Veterans Group will immediately follow at Wilkinson Cemetery. Family and
friends will gather for a visitation from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday,
March 21, 2020.
James was born in Huntington Park, California on December 10, 1942 to Esther
Mae Richardson Ray and Howard Milton Ray. He proudly served his country in the
United States Army. James married the love of his life Kathy Irene Gifford on
December 20, 1969 and the two were married for almost 50 years before Kathy
passed away on October 28, 2019. He was retired from the oil field and had been
a longtime truck driver.
James was an outdoors man, who enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding 4 wheelers.
He had a deep love for his family and a sense of humor and whit that will be
greatly missed. James had a wonderful laugh that was contagious and greatly
appreciated by all that knew him. He loved the thrill of wheeling and dealing.
He is preceded in death by his wife Kathy Ray, parents Howard and Esther Ray,
son David Eugene Ray and great granddaughter Maribelle Sims.
He is survived by his children; Jamie Stallwood, Anne Sims and spouse John
Sims, James Ray and spouse Donna Ray, and Jeanne Ray and spouse Kara Ray. Two
brothers, David Lynn Ray and John Charles Ray and a sister Melinda Jane Moore.
His grandchildren Lacy Barnes and spouse Robert Barnes, Jonathan Sims and
spouse Kenzie Sims, Katelyn Stallwood, D’Lisa Stamper, Justin Ray and spouse
Madisyn Ray, Kegan Ray, Kali Moore and spouse Brent Moore, Kyla Alexander and
spouse Josh Alexander, and Taylor Briscoe and spouse Dillon Briscoe. His great
grandchildren; Kylie, Kamryn, Harrison, Levi, Johnie, Noah, Oakley, Rory,
Brooks, Harper, Alexis, Dallas, Hayley, Garrett and Ripp.
Pallbearers to honor James will be Jonathan Sims, Justin Ray, Kegan Ray, Robert
Barnes, Dustin Nolan and Mike Butts.
Social Media